It needs to point to your web host’s name servers so that it works with your website.

First: buy your domain, set up the DNS custom name servers, and point the domain to your web hosting package.

It’s ok, this is what I’m going to help you with in the tutorial.

Next: play the waiting game. Wait for the root name servers and cache records acrossthe whole internet to automatically update with your website’s new name server information.

This period is called the domain “propagation”.

How long does domain propagation take?
Well… how long is a piece of string?

Full propagation to point a domain to your web host can take anything up to 48 hours across the whole internet.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn about domain propagation, as well as the name server settings in NameCheap, how to point a domain to your web host, and how to redirect your domain to an existing website

Here’s the tutorial….

(A) select the name server settings in NameCheap to point a domain to your web host

TIP: if not already known, you’ll first need to contact your web host to ask for their Name Server settings. But, if you already use FastComet as your web host or Cloudflare as your CDN provider, I’ve included the settings in the tutorial below.
See my tutorial “How to get a free SSL certificate – benefits of an https website” for more information about Cloudflare.

scroll down to “Name Servers”. Click the dropdown and select “custom DNS”

TIP: if you’re using Cloudflare as your content delivery network provider (CDN) regardless of which company you’re using as a web host, your name server settings to point a domain will be:nora.ns.cloudflare.com roan.ns.cloudflare.com

type in your Name Server settings from your web host.
If you’re using FastComet, your settings to point your domain will be:ns1.uk2.fcomet.com ns2.uk2.fcomet.com

TIP: if you’re using Cloudflare as your CDN, remember to check your DNS settings.Login to Cloudflare, and click “DNS”.
In the DNS Settings, where it has “A” in the Type column, next to your website name, the number in the Value column needs to be “points to: [your web host’s IP address, and not your registrar’s IP address (if different)]”.FastComet’s IP address is: 213.168.251.122

click the green tick to the right of the Name Server section to save your settings

logout of NameCheap

(B) select the Addon Domain settings with your web host

For this tutorial, we’ll assume you’re using FastComet as your web host. However, the steps will be similar for whichever web host you use, as long as you can access the cPanel.

login to FastComet’s Client Area, and access cPanel from thereTo access FastComet’s Client Area: – select Client Login on top right of FastComet home page and login to your FastComet Client Area dashboard
– in the left hand menu, select the box icon “Products”, My Products – click “View Details” icon, then “View Details” in the drop down– scroll down to the “Log in to” area and select “cPanel”

in cPanel, scroll down to the Domains section, and select “Addon Domains”

TIP: cPanel automatically creates a subdomain in your FTP account to direct your new domain to its document root. It’s fine if you don’t manage to make a note of those login details as they’ll only be required if you need a separate FTP account for your addon domain – which you probably won’t.

in Addon Domains, the “Create an Addon Domain” section, type in your domain name (without the http://www) in the “New Domain Name” field. Leave the other two fields (“Subdomain” and “Document Root”) blank as, after about 30 seconds, they will self-populate

click “Add Domain”

logout of cPanel

TIP: if you wanted to register your domain with your web host (rather than just point it towards your web host, as is the case in this tutorial), you would have just raised a tech support call and asked them to deal.
The benefit of keeping it registered with your domain registrar (NameCheap) is that the domain renewal fee remains cheap – unless your web host is even cheaper!
Remember, you get a free domain with FastComet’s ecommerce package.

Once propagation is complete, your domain will appear on your web host’s server and your email will be fully functional.

This can take up to 48 hours to be fully propagated.

Redirecting your new domain to an existing domain

These are the steps to follow if you’d like to redirect your domain.

For instance, whenever someone types in www.peasontoast.com, I’d like it to redirect to my main website, www.peasontoast.co.uk.

TIP: if you won’t be adding content to your redirected domain, then there’s no need to use an SSL certificate or divert it via Cloudflare DNS.
In NameCheap, I kept the name servers for peasontoast.com set to FastComet: ns1.uk2.fcomet.comns2.uk2.fcomet.com

I'm a full-time working wife and mum who loves searching for innovative products and learning how to run a successful website. I started PeasOnToast.co.uk to help people like you:- reviews to save you time looking for good value, quality household/fintech products- blog/tutorials for any of you website newbies to follow my PeasOnToast learning curve